Australia, UK to forge treaty for joint submarine production
Australia and Britain have announced plans to negotiate a bilateral treaty for the joint production of a new class of nuclear-powered submarines, part of the AUKUS partnership that also includes the United States.
This agreement aims to enhance defense collaboration among the three nations in response to rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Recently, Taiwan's defense ministry has also raised concerns about increased Chinese military activity around the island, accusing Beijing of presenting a serious challenge to its neighbors in the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan detected large-scale Chinese military operations, including 29 aircraft involved in a "joint combat readiness patrol" with Chinese warships and 43 Chinese military aircraft operating nearby.
Its defense ministry criticized the recent drills, stating they illustrate the aggressive posture of an authoritarian regime.
In response, China defended its military exercises as "legitimate" actions aimed at enhancing combat readiness.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles confirmed the treaty's forthcoming negotiations after meeting with his British and US counterparts in London.
The treaty will facilitate the development and operation of submarines of the same class, promoting industrial cooperation and technology transfer between Australia and the UK.
Under the AUKUS agreement established in 2023, Australia is set to acquire US.-made Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines over the next decade.
Following that, the new AUKUS-class submarines will be constructed in Barrow-in-Furness, UK, and in South Australia.
British Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the meeting's outcomes, highlighting the decision to integrate British-made Stingray torpedoes into the P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which are used for submarine-hunting missions in the Indo-Pacific.
This further strengthens the operational capabilities of the partners in maritime security.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reported significant advancements in collaborative military experiments across various domains, including ground, undersea, and electromagnetic spectrum operations.
These efforts are part of the AUKUS "Pillar Two" initiative aimed at enhancing warfighting capabilities.
A joint statement released after the meeting indicated that AUKUS partners are focused on advancing their capabilities in developing offensive and defensive hypersonic technologies.
Additionally, they plan to conduct a large-scale drone exercise later this year, underscoring the partners' commitment to improving joint operational readiness.
This treaty signifies a strategic step towards deepening defense ties between Australia and the UK, as both countries aim to bolster their maritime capabilities amid growing geopolitical tensions, particularly with an assertive China in the region.
The proposed treaty and subsequent submarine projects are expected to create jobs and foster innovation within the defense sectors of both nations, while reinforcing the importance of collective security in a challenging global environment.
Initially, the AUKUS partnership, formed in 2021, represented a trilateral security pact designed to enhance military collaboration and technological sharing among the three nations Australia, UK and France.
Soon after Australia's government had agreed to pay €550 million (approximately A$830 million) to Naval Group as a settlement following the previous Morrison government's decision to cancel the French attack-class submarine project in 2022.
This was seen as a step towards mending strained ties with France.
With recent developments, Australia and Britain are now working to ensure a more formidable presence in the Indo-Pacific, where security dynamics are evolving rapidly.